Skin Care Tip *DIY Thyme Clear Complexion Toner*

Monday, August 20, 2012

My goal for starting the skincare series was to share things that I have learned over the years working as an esthetican. I wanted to share useful information, tricks tips and DIYs that you can do at home and you don't have to spend a fortune. I have always believed the more holistic and natural the better. After taking a little break from the series (due to feeling slightly unmotivated) I realized how much I truly do enjoy it and I am happy about starting it back up again.

So I am going to bring it back with a skincare DIY that is probably one of the best skin clearing remedies that I have posted about to date.

Right now skin care companies are scrambling to incorporate an ingredient that you all most likely have access to. Thyme. Thyme is the HOT new skin food at the moment. Recent studies are proving it to be more effective than topical prescriptions containing benzoyl peroxide. Crazy right?! Here is how you can get the most out of this amazing ingredient and incorporate it into your beauty routine...

What you will need:

Fresh or dried thyme. I used dried which I found at my local health food store in bulk.

Here is what you do...Add about 1/2 cup of raw apple cider vinegar into a glass jar and place inside a bowl of hot water to warm it up. Once it is heated add about 3 tablespoons of thyme.

Let this sit for up to two hours.

Place the cheesecloth on top of the glass jar and carefully pour the liquid into your toner container.You now have the ultimate acne and age spot fighting toner! You can use this nightly. Apply it with a cotton pad, let dry and then apply your moisturizer on top. To prolong the shelf life of your toner keep it in the fridge. My suggestion would be to only make a small batch at a time and try to use it up within two weeks.

Erica- This is more for acne, pigmentation issues and sun damage while tea tree is great for a spot treatment for large blemishes. Since everyone's skin responds differently to topical ingredients it really just depends on what you find works best for your skin.

Montalvo Country- This is not drying or irritaing like BP. If you do have sensitive skin my recommendation would be to do a test spot on your jawline and see how you do. The apple cider vinegar may cause a little temporary redness but it should subside shortly after applying. Hope that answers your question :)

Last year, I made this for my daughters and they have remained blemish free, even during menses. Since I have been 'poo-less' since Halloween, (baking soda wash & acv rinse) I decided to play with this recipe a bit. I added rosemary and sage and use it as a hair detangler. Call me shocked, but after 2 months use, my greys had become much less noticeable, my hair not only stopped falling out but has grown back thicker and healthier than I ever remember it being. Thanks for your inspiration! It's been a win/win for me and my family.

I am confused about the heating up portion part of the recipe. Do you seal up the glass jar with a lid while heating or leave it open? Just set the jar in the pan with the water and boil? Just clarifying.

I would heat it in a slow cooker or low double-boiler, with a loose lid. I have used rosemary and violet toners made from homegrown herbs, but have not yet tried thyme. I would expect that it would pack more punch than rosemary but be less irritating and drying than benzoyl peroxide. Vinegar as a base should be better for the skin while making the mixture more acid--should be helpful. If you just hate the vinegar, you might try witch hazel...

I recently made a simple thyme "tea" using nothing but warm water, allowing the dried thyme to steep for a few hours on my kitchen counter. I then strained it into a little spray bottle and have been using it as a toner (just mist my face and let air dry after washing twice a day, followed by just 2 drops of rosehip oil as moisturizer) - acne all gone! With nothing but thyme infused water! I've had acne for 20+ years!